India’s October 31 Deadline For US Predator Drone Deal: What To Know

India's Defence Ministry is on the verge of securing cabinet approval for a significant USD 3.1 billion drone purchase from General Atomics, aimed at bolstering maritime security and strike missions across the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force.

The Defence Ministry is set to approach the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval of the drone deal. This follows the Defence Acquisition Council's (DAC) clearance on July 30.

The acquisition, valued at around USD 3.1 billion, involves purchasing 31 MQ-9B drones from General Atomics.

Photo Credit: PTI

Final Price Negotiation

The Cost Negotiation Committee (CNC) has concluded the final price for the acquisition. The Defence Ministry will now seek expenditure approval from the Finance Ministry before obtaining CCS's final stamp. The deal must be signed by October 31 to avoid a price revision by the manufacturer.

India plans to acquire these drones on a government-to-government basis. Out of the 31 drones, 16 will be allocated to the Indian Navy for maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Eight drones each will go to the Indian Army and Air Force for specific strike missions across land borders.

Drone Capabilities and Deployment

During his visit to the US in August, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed on the drone's capabilities by General Atomics. The Predator drone has a proven track record in precision bombing and targeting high-value assets in regions like the Middle-East and Afghanistan.

India has been operating two units of Sea Guardian drones, an unarmed version of Predator, from INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu for maritime domain awareness. Although their lease expired in January 2024, it has been extended for another four years. These drones provide real-time maritime domain awareness from Sunda Straits in Indonesia to Suez Canal in the west and South Indian Ocean.

Strategic Importance Of MQ-9B drones

The use of armed drones has increased globally, as seen in conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza. Non-state actors such as Houthis and Hezbollah have also started using them for targeting international shipping and Israel respectively. This makes acquiring armed drones a priority for India.

China and Pakistan are already operating CH-4 weaponized unmanned aerial vehicles, with Beijing selling these platforms to Rawalpindi. This adds urgency to India's need for similar capabilities to maintain strategic balance in the region.

The Modi government is keen on enhancing India's defence capabilities through this acquisition. The Predator drone deal is expected to significantly bolster India's surveillance and strike capabilities across various terrains.

The conclusion of this deal will mark a significant step forward in India's defence procurement strategy, ensuring that its armed forces are equipped with advanced technology to meet contemporary security challenges effectively.